This webinar looks at the prevalence of and the effects on children who are exposed to domestic violence and what churches can do to advocate for them. Presented by Rev. Kathy Reid. This webinar is sponsored by a grant from the Lutheran Community Foundation.

The impact of domestic violence on children who witness abuse can be life-long and have a significant influence on neurological, psychological, emotional and spiritual development. Rev. Kathy Reid discusses the signs of trauma in children, and what faith leaders and communities can do to help support and heal children and their families. Included are scriptural passages that can assist in pastoral care.
Presenter: Kathy Reid

The experience of violence and abuse has physical and psychological ramifications, but it also has a spiritual impact. For children, as for all victims, this spiritual crisis can be shattering. Join Rev. Kathy Reid, Executive Director of Family Abuse Center (Waco, TX), as she discusses the ways to help children understand abuse and the ways their faith can support their healing. The focus of this webinar will be on Christian scripture that speaks to injustice, powerlessness, and forgiveness within the context of true justice and repentance.

Registered sex offenders who are released into the community are approaching faith communities and asking to participate in worship and other activities. We know that community support is important to prevent re-offending. How can faith communities be part of an offender’s support network and insure safety for the congregation?
Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie has helped a congregation through the process of creating and implementing a policy and educational plan on this issue and has a wealth of experience she shares.

Through the eyes of journalists uncovering a scandal, the film Spotlight has given the general public a way to examine the systemic, religious, and personal issues that perpetuated a culture of secrecy, abuse and collusion. Clergy abuse is not, and never has been, just a "Catholic issue". Every faith tradition has to struggle to address the abuse of power that allows the vulnerable to be victimized.
This roundtable conversation about the movie examines how it illustrates the issues of institutional and personal responsibility for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.

Rev. Kathy Reid, Executive Director of Family Abuse Center (Waco, TX), discusses the ways faith communities can support child victims and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in their healing. Faith leaders, health ministers, and trauma-informed congregations can “speak the unspoken” setting a precedent for prevention work, as well as addressing the impact that the childhood trauma of sexual abuse can have for adults, who frequently suffer physical, psychological and emotional impacts. An informed understanding of childhood sexual abuse is essential to work addressing many concurrent issues such as homelessness, addiction, suicide prevention, self-harm, and chronic health concerns.

Join us for a conversation about the impact of the #ChurchToo movement on faith communities. The stories from #ChurchToo are challenging many people's understanding of sexual harassment and abuse.
Let's talk about how we address victim blaming, denial, cultural silencing, and religious roadblocks. How can we use this movement to create safer, more transparent spiritual communities?